No account yet?

Historic Documents

Library & News Home
Document Index Alphabetical By Title
Constitution and Related Documents
Letter of Transmital [1787]
U.S. Constitution [1787] and Bill of Rights
The Federalist Papers [1787-1788]
Anti-Federalist Papers [1787-1789]
Before 1776
Code of Hammurabi [circa 1727-1680 BC]
Ten Commandments [circa 1447 BC]
Constitutions of Clarendon [1164]
Magna Carta [1215]
Declaration of Arbroath [1320]
Privileges and Prerogatives Granted to Christopher Columbus [1492]
Charter to Sir Walter Raleigh [1584]
Colonial Charters [1606-1732]
Mayflower Compact [1620]
Surrender of the Great Charter of New England [1635]
Original Constitution of the Colony of New Haven [1639]
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut [1639]
Settlers Agreement, Exeter, New Hampshire [1639]
Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England [1643]
Maryland Toleration Act [1649]
First Thanksgiving Proclamation [1676]
English Bill of Rights [1689]
Second Treatise of Government by John Locke [1689]
War For Independence
Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress [1765]
Declaration and Resolves [1774]
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death! - Patrick Henry [1775]
Causes and Necessity of Their Taking Up Arms [1775]
Virginia Declaration of Rights [1776]
Declaration of Independence [1776]
Samuel Adams Advocates American Independence [1776]
Common Sense - Thomas Paine [1776]
1783 - 1860
George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation [1789]
Washington's Farewell Address [1796]
Not Yours To Give - Davy Crockett [1827-1835, 1884]
War Between The States
1865 - Present

Related Reading

Print
 3 October 1789  

By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor#and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me `to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.'

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be#That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks#for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation#for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed#for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted#for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions#to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually#to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed-to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord#To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us#and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.